Bi-State Development operates Metro Transit for the St. Louis region, providing the greater metropolitan area with sustainable and accessible transportation through light rail, bus and paratransit routes serving communities in St. Louis and St. Louis County in Missouri and in St. Clair County in Illinois. As a participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge and proud partner of the Clean Air Partnership, we’re pleased to highlight the organization’s outstanding efforts to incorporate green business practices that helped earn them recognition at the Leader Level.
Over the course of the 2024 Challenge, Metro Transit elected to report on its partnership with Ameren Missouri that powered its fleet of 24 electric buses operating out of the Brentwood MetroBus facility. The facility is powered by a nearby substation featuring smart technology that includes automated sensors, switches and self-healing equipment.
During the Challenge year, Metro Transit achieved an impressive sustainability milestone marking 1.5 million miles traveled for its battery-electric bus fleet. The public transit system also formalized a contract to acquire 55 MetroLink train cars with battery onboard energy storage, which can support up to five miles of off-wire operation.
Other notable accomplishments included Metro Transit’s sponsorship of the annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival, where team members engaged with the local sustainability community at the Muny grounds in Forest Park. Metro team members manned the booth and enjoyed interacting with crowds, spreading positive transit news and handing out fun giveaways with a clean and green electric bus serving as a vivid backdrop.
Last but certainly not least, Metro Transit was awarded more than $10 million by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through its Low-and-No-Emission (Low-No) Vehicle program. The grant funding is going toward enhancing MetroBus service and improving air quality in the bi-state area through its purchase of new American-made, hybrid diesel-electric buses, which is a big win for the region!
“Bi-State Development’s participation in the Green Business Challenge goes hand in hand with our mission to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Taulby Roach, President & CEO of Bi-State Development. “We continue to make investments to strengthen the sustainability of our operations and our facilities, upgrade our transit fleet with new low and zero-emission vehicles, and adopt new technology that helps us deliver environmental and economic benefits to the entire St. Louis region.”
For more information about how to get your organization involved in the Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @gatewaycleanair.
